Bickner Best U.S. Since 2002

Kevin Bickner (Wauconda, Ill.) soared to 18th Saturday night at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre on the HS109 meter normal hill jump. It was the best U.S. finish since 2002. Germany's Andreas Wellinger took gold. Poland was shut out of the medals with Norway's Johann Andre Forfang winning silver and Robert Johansson bronze.

Bickner's finish was the best U.S. Olympic showing since Alan Alborn was 11th on the normal hill at the 2002 Olympics.

On a cold, blustery night, wind delays pushed the competition until after midnight. Bickner was the only American to make the top 30 cut after the first round, but Olympic Trials winner Michael Glasder (Cary, Ill.) came close at 32nd.

"Before I came here my goal was to have a top 20 - I achieved that," said Bickner. "Given the day I had, I think I can set my expectations higher. I’ll try to take my first jump tonight and transfer it over to the big hill."

Bickner's first round jump of 109.0 meters was second longest. "Everything just really worked out," he said. "All the little things I was tweaking through the week came together, I got lucky with wind and I was able to throw one down to the bottom."

The men return Friday for large hill qualifying. The women are up next on the normal hill with their medal round Monday evening.

RESULTS
Men's HS109m Jump